Tips and tricks..

[63ImpallaSS]

Hello

I am new to body work but have a jump in and do it attitude. I recently bought a 63 impala ss that needs lots of tender care. I want to bring her back better than the day she drove off the line. Anyways..

Couple ques to begin:

There are lots of pin holes and larger holes around window areas, should I cut out and replace metal or fill with?

When installing patch panels, do u cut out what needs repair or replace with the entire panel?

Note:I have a welder and plasma as well as air tank with mult air tools. I have the tools but need some guidance from peeps that have been there and done that. I can take and pst pic as needed.. I'm sure I'll have more ques but just getting started.


Thanks..

[Art]

If you want it better than when it came off the line, I would cut out the bad area and replace the metal. That is what I do on the cars I am restoring. The other thing you need to address is why is it rusting there. Poor design, leak, inadequate ventilation, lack of rustproofing... That would need to be addressed and corrected otherwise the problem will happen again further down the life of the car. I'm sure there are the Impala forums or someone here that has done this before and can guide you in the right direction.

As for the patch panels either one can be correct. It's one of those your mileage may vary types of things. Is the patch panel a good fit or so-so? Do you need to tweak it some to get a good fit? Trimming it to fit might be a good option. Remember you need to cut back a couple of inches further from the rusty area to make sure you are at good metal. Otherwise, again, the rust will return again. And the reasons above apply here also.

Both of the above depend on other things to determine the best way to proceed. Do you access from behind the area to help with the repair? Anything in the way? Somebody has done these repairs before and can help guide you.

Art

[Len]

We did a Road Runner that needed a lot of patching. You can see how a lot of it was done on the link below.

73 Road Runner Resto Link

[63ImpallaSS]

We did a Road Runner that needed a lot of patching. You can see how a lot of it was done on the link below.

73 Road Runner Resto Link

Hi Len,

With all the products on the market I'm having a hard time determining which one to use and when.

For example:

• after sandblasting
• after welding patch panels
• When to body filler
• Epoxy Primer
• seam sealer
• all-metal?

Note: Currently, the body of the impalla has been sandblasted an I sprayed a couple coats of gray Duplicolor high build primer. I'm currently workin on rust repair and it will take me a while before painting.... but would your Spray Painting DVD be a good place to start?

[Henry]

Hi Len,

With all the products on the market I'm having a hard time determining which one to use and when.

For example:

• after sandblasting
• after welding patch panels
• When to body filler
• Epoxy Primer
• seam sealer
• all-metal?

Note: Currently, the body of the impalla has been sandblasted an I sprayed a couple coats of gray Duplicolor high build primer. I'm currently workin on rust repair and it will take me a while before painting.... but would your Spray Painting DVD be a good place to start?

Len's Painting 101 video is well worth owning since it's 2 full hours covering a lot of topics you need to know.

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...gory_Code=4VDO

That's a really nice car you're doing. Keep asking questions and all the board members here will help you to the end of your project.

Henry

[63ImpallaSS]

Len's Painting 101 video is well worth owning since it's 2 full hours covering a lot of topics you need to know.

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...gory_Code=4VDO

That's a really nice car you're doing. Keep asking questions and all the board members here will help you to the end of your project.

Henry

Thanks Henry - I ordered the dvd last night. I know I'll have a bunch more questions soon.